Taps

The following guns were used in the film Taps:

Taps (1981)

M16 (SP1)

The M16 (SP1) is the mainstay weapon of the rebellious cadets during the siege of Bunker Hill, all of which are fitted with A1-style birdcage flash hiders. Of the cadets who use them, the most noteable is Cadet Captain David Shawn (Tom Cruise), whose rifle is fitted wit a 3x Colt scope. Also seen used by the town police and National Guardsment.

It should be noted that during the final firefight several Police members and National Guardsmen are seen repeatedly pulling on the charging handles of their M16s, indicating that these rifles did not have blank adapters to cycle the actions.

M16 (SP1) (flat "slab side receiver") with an A1 "birdcage" flash hider - 5.56x45mm.

Cadet Cpt. Shawn fires his M16 (SP1) into the air to scare away the local thugs.

Cpt. Shawn watches the police surround Bunker Hill while holding his M16 (SP1).

An M16 (SP1) goes off when a Cadet throws it to the ground and jumps the gate.

Cpt. Shawn with his M16 (SP1).

Close up on the trigger guard as Cpt. Shawn takes aim at Colonel Kerby (Ronny Cox).

MGC M16 replica

Many Cadets in the film are seen using MGC M16 non-firing replica M16 rifles built by the Metal Gun Corp. They are noted by their three prong flash hiders and fake forward assist.

MGC M16 Replica rifle.

A Cadet Captain holding an MGC M16.

A young Cadet holding an MGC M16.

A Cadet aims his MGC M16 rifle at the police.

Three Cadets armed with MGC M16s.

Star Model B

Standing in for the M1911A1 pistol, Star Model Bs are seen in the hands of some of the characters in the film or in old style web belts of some of the "officers". A notable mistake is when the schools inventory is being listed and the guns are reffered to as being ".45mm Caliber", which makes no sense to us who know something about guns. You'd think even film writers would know the metric system well enough to not make this mistake.

Star Model B - 9mm.

Cadet Major Brian Moreland (Timothy Hutton) with a Star Model B in his holster.

Cadet Captain David Shawn (Tom Cruise) cleans a Star Model B with a rag. Note external extractor.

Colonel Kerby (Ronny Cox) armed with a Star Model B during the final battle.

M60 Machine Gun

The Cadets at Bunker Hill set up several machine gun positions using M60 machine guns, one of which is used by Cadet Captain David Shawn (Tom Cruise) during the final firefight.

M60 Machine Gun - 7.62x51mm NATO.

A Cadet carrying an M60 machine gun.

Two Cadets man an M60 machine gun.

A Cadet Captain mans an M60 machine gun at the front gate.

A Cadet Captain aims an M60 from the window.

Cadet Captain Shawn fires an M60 at the police and National Guard during the final firefight.

Cadet Capt. Shawn shouts at Cadet Captain Alex Dwyer (Sean Penn).

M60D Machine Gun

Mounted on the loader's hatch of the National Guard's M60 Patton tank is an M60D machine gun.

M60D Machine Gun - 7.62x51mm NATO.

An M60D is seen mounted on the loader's hatch of the M60 Patton tank.

The barrel of the M60D is seen behind Colonel Kurby (Ronny Cox).

The gunner fires the M60D at the window where Capt. David Shawn (Tom Cruise) is shooting from.

Browning M2HB

A Browning M2HB is seen mounted on the front hatch of the Nation Guard's M60 Patton tanks. They are also said to be among the school's inventory.

Browning M2HB - .50 BMG.

The main gunner mans a Browning M2HB.

The gunner mans the Browning M2HB behind Colonel Kerby (Ronny Cox).

The gunner fires the Browning M2HB at the window where Capt. David Shawn (Tom Cruise) is shooting from.

Browning M2 Aircraft

Cadets inside Bunker Hill are seen manning Browning M2 Aircraft machine guns, the aircooled version of the Browning M2 Heavy Barrel.

Browning M2 Aircraft - .50 BMG.

A Cadet mans a Browning M2 Aircraft.

Two Cadets sleep next to a Browning M2 Aircraft.

Sturmgewehr 44

Seen hanging on a display in General Harlan Bache's (George C. Scott) office is a Sturmgewehr 44 assault rifle, possibley a bring back from his service in WWII.

Sturmgewehr 44 - 7.92x33mm.

A StG 44 circled in red.

AK-47

Seen hanging on a display in General Harlan Bache's (George C. Scott) office is an AK-47 Type III pattern assault rifle, possibley a bring back from his service in the Vietnam war.

AK-47 Type III - 7.62x39mm.

AK-47 circled in red.

Colt Model 1903

When General Harlan Bache (George C. Scott) is getting ready for the dance, he takes a nickel plated Colt Model 1903 and holster and attaches it to his hip. This weapons was issued to general officers until the 1970's when it was replaced by the M15 General Officer's pistol. When Gen. Bache and a local thug are struggling the weapon is removed from the holster and used to accidentally shoot and kill a local boy prompting the events leading to the siege. Afterwards Bache claims "There was a round in the chamber...I forgot!", which seems unlikely since a General Officer would not forget to check such a basic principle of firearms safety. Ironically this is the same weapon George C. Scott used in Patton to fire at an attacking HE-111 while daring it to shoot him in the nose.

Colt 1903 nickel plated - .32 ACP.

A town thug tries to pull Gen. Bache's Colt Model 1903 from his holster.

Bache stands over a killed boy while holding his Colt Model 1903.

M1903 Springfield

The basic drill weapon of the cadets at "Bunker Hill". Seen up close during the brief "tribute drill" to Timothy Hutton's character after his promotion to cadet Major.

Springfield M1903 Transitional (pre-WW2) issue - .30-06

81 mm Mortar

Seen and mentioned during the inventory of the school's armory. Given the lighting of the scene they could have been either the M1 or M29.